Legislative Branch 9a. Ch. 8

Floor Leaders

Chief officers of each party in Congress

Work to guide bills through congress

President pro tempore

Presides over senate in Vice President’s place

Speaker of the House

Presiding officer in House or representatives

Most powerful member of house

Budget

Plan for raising and spending money

Census

Population count every 10 years

Filibuster

Long speech to prevent vote on bill

If not stopped, bill does not become law

Cloture

End debate on bill

Agreed to by ⅗ vote

Bill of attainder

Convicts person of crime without trial

Bill

Proposed law

Impeach

Accuse official of serious wrongdoing

No presidents have been convicted after impeachment

Constituents

People a congressperson represents

This is who the congressperson is primarily responsible for

Congressional District

Area a house member represents

Pocket Veto

President prevents bill from law by keeping it for 10 days while congress in session

Congress

• Most important job is making laws

• Made up of representatives and senators

• Must live in elected state

• Jobs- discuss bill, help constituents, attend meetings

• Bill must pass through both houses to get to president

Elastic clause

Gives congress right to make laws that are necessary and proper for our listed powers

Habeas Corpus

Brings someone to court

Powers of Congress

Limited by:

• President veto

• Supreme court decision

• constitution

Powers:

• Regulate marriage

• Borrow money

• Declare war

After Veto

Congress can override veto with ⅔ vote

Minium wage

Is controversial issue

Congress balance

Needs of constituents and nation

Ways to stop a bill

• Pocket veto

• Filibuster

• Veto

Who can suggest a bill

• President

• Citizen

• Interest group

Legislative checks of executive

Override Presidential veto

Legislative checks of Judicial

Impeach supreme court justice

Executive checks of legislative

• President veto bills

• President call special session of congress

• President recommends law

Judicial checks of legislative

Declare laws unconstitutional

House characteristics

• 435 members

• Per state based on pop

• Must be 25

• Citizen for min 7 years

• Leader- speaker of the house

• 2 year term

Senate characteristics

• 100 members

• 2 per state

• Must be 30

• Citizen for min 9 years

• 6 year term